Interlocking Roof Shingle System and Method

ABSTRACT

A device and method for covering a roof. The interlocking roof shingle includes a shingle having a top surface and a bottom surface. A first edge of the shingle is curved over the top surface and a second edge of the shingle is curved under the bottom edge of the shingle. The first edge of the shingle is configured to engage with the second edge of an adjacent shingle. The device further includes a tab configured to receive a nail and engage with the first edge of the shingle. Some embodiments of the shingle are configured to fit along the ridges and valleys of a roof. In these embodiments, the shingle has a center fold and a gap in the upper and lower folded edges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to roof shingles. Specifically, the present invention provides a system of interlocking shingles that interconnect through folded edges. The system also includes a species of shingle that has a fold along a center of the shingle. This center-folded shingle is configured to fit along ridges and within valleys of a roof.

Roof shingles that do not properly interconnect will expose a building they cover to a multitude of harmful conditions and substances, such as rain, wind, insects and radiation. Even if traditional shingles are laid properly, as they age, these roof shingles may rot or peel apart, resulting in damage to the home. In particular, the ridges and valleys of the roof, i.e. the nexus of large sections of roof shingles, tend to be the most susceptible to leaks or wind damage.

Without a proper interlocking system of roof shingles and a specially designed roof shingle for the ridges and valleys of a roof, a building will be more vulnerable to weather elements. Therefore, there exists a need for a roof shingle system that completely interconnects and further includes a roof shingle designed to fit over the ridges and within the valleys of a roof.

Several devices and systems have been proposed to increase the efficacy of protecting a building with roof shingles. One strategy provides a system of roof shingles that interlock via folded ends, this system fails, however, to solve the problem of fitting interlocking shingles flush with the ridges or valleys of the roof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of roof shingle systems now present in the known art, the present invention provides an interlocking and ridge-fit roof shingle system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when waterproofing a roof with shingles. The present system comprises a set of roof shingles having a first end and a second end. The ends are folded in opposing directions, configuring the roof shingles to interlock. The system further includes a roof shingle configured to fit along the ridges and the valleys of the roof. This ridge-valley roof shingle is folded along a center axis and has opposing folded ends that are configured to interlock with other roof shingles.

One object of the present invention is to provide a water-resilient surface layer for a roof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system of roof shingles that completely interconnect, adding strength and structure to the roof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide effective protection from the weather while also providing an aesthetically pleasing roof surface.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a ridge-valley roof shingles of the interlocking roof shingle system.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ridge-valley roof shingles of the interlocking roof shingle system.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate perspective view of an embodiment of two ridge-valley roof shingles interlocking of the interlocking roof shingle system.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the interlocking roof shingle system disposed on the roof of a house, with an inset view of the roof-plane shingles interlocking joint of the roof shingle system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the interlocking roof shingle system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. Unless specifically limited to a single unit, “a” is intended to be equivalent to “one or more” throughout the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, there is shown shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a ridge-valley roof shingles 11 of the interlocking roof shingle system 10. The interlocking roof shingle system 10 comprises a plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles 11 configured to fit along the ridges or valleys of a roof. In alternate embodiments, the interlocking roof shingle system 10 comprises a plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles 11 and a plurality of roof plane shingles 32.

The ridge-valley roof shingle 11 comprises a top surface 12, a bottom surface 13, a first end segment 16 and a second end segment 20 extending from opposing ends of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. The first end segment 16 and second end segment 20 are disposed at opposite ends of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end segment 16 and the second end segment are configured to fold to adjustable angles. The first end segment 16 is folded over the top surface 12 of the ridge-valley shingle 11. The second end segment 20 is folded under the bottom surface 13 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. The first segment 16 extends above a plane of the top surface 16 and the second segment 20 extends below the same plane of the top surface 16, such that the first and second end segments 16, 20 are extending in opposing directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the folded end segments 16, 20 are the same size to allow the first end segment 16 of a ridge-valley roof shingle 10 to hook with and overlap the second end segment 20 of another ridge-valley roof shingle 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the folded end segment 16, 20 is ¾ inches and tapers toward the terminal end.

The ridge-valley roof shingle 11 further has a fold 14 that runs along a longitudinal axis from the first end segment 16 to the second end segment 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the fold 14 is along the center axis of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. The fold 14 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 marks the position of a gap 15 between the folded end segments 16, 20 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. The gap 15 in the folded end segments 16, 20 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 separates the folded end segments 16, 20 into two subsegments, one on either side of the fold 14. In this embodiment, each subsegment is tapered toward the terminal end 17. The gap 15 between the first segment and second segment allow the shingle to pivot about the fold 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, a tab 18 is hooked with the folded first end segment 16 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. A portion of the tab 18 is folded downward and is configured to slide between the first end segment 16 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 and the top surface 12 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11, thereby hooking the folded portion of the tab to the first end segment 16 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. A portion of the tab 18 extends beyond the periphery of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11. The tab 18 is configured to receive a nail through the portion that extends beyond the periphery of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 and into the frame of the roof. The nail and tab 18 arrangement is adapted to secure the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 to the roof.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ridge-valley roof shingles of the interlocking roof shingle system. In some embodiments, the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 comprises a folded third end segment 50 and, sometimes, a folded fourth end segment 51. In some embodiments, the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 is a rectangle and the folded third and folded fourth end segments 50, 51 run perpendicular to the first and second end segments 16, 20. In these other embodiments, the folded third and folded fourth end segments 50, 51 are folded over the top surface 12 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 when the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 is disposed in a valley of the roof. When this embodiment is disposed on the ridge of the roof, the third and fourth end segments 50, 51 are folded under the bottom surface 13 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternate perspective view of an embodiment of two ridge-valley roof shingles interlocking of the interlocking roof shingle system. A first end segment 23 of a first ridge-valley roof shingle 24 engages with a second end segment 25 of a second shingle 22 at an interlocking joint 26. At the interlocking joint 26, the first hooked end 23 of the first ridge-valley roof shingle 24 slides between the second hooked end 25 of the second ridge-valley roof shingle 22 and the second ridge-valley roof shingle 22, hooking the folded ends 23, 25 together and interlocking the ridge-valley roof shingles 24, 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the interlocking roof shingle system disposed on the roof of a house. In some embodiments, the roof shingle system 10 comprises a roof plane shingle 32 having a first end segment 37 that is folded over a top surface 35 of the roof plane shingle 32. In other embodiments, the roof plane shingle 32 further comprises a second end segment 38 that is folded under a bottom surface 36 of the roof plane shingle 32.

The ridge-valley roof shingle 10 and the roof plane shingle 32 can be composed of any suitable material, such as, metal, plastic or carbon synthetic. In one embodiment, the roof plane shingles 32 and the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 are made of a metal alloy comprising copper, zinc and titanium. In some embodiments, the surface of the metal alloy is oxidized to give the metal a blue hue. In this embodiment, the metal alloy is cut into 13″ wide sheets and then further cut into 24″ long shingles. Exact measurement, construction and size of the ridge-valley roof shingles and the roof shingles may vary upon manufacturing and job site.

In use, a starting row of roof shingles 32 is laid just below a ridge of the house. The roof plane shingles 32 comprise a first row of roof plane shingles 32 are cut in half from corner to corner and laid diagonally in an arrangement that lays the cut end of the roof plane shingle 32 flush with the peak of the ridge. A nail is driven through the roof plane shingle 32 adjacent to the cut end of the roof plane shingle 32 and into the frame of the roof to secure the roof plane shingle 32 to the roof.

Roof plane shingles 32 are then dispersed on the roof in a grid pattern by interlocking the roof plane shingles 32 via the folded end segments 37, 38 of the roof plane shingles 32. To interlock the roof plane shingles 32 in the grid, the first end segment 37 of the first roof plane shingle 32 slides between the second end segment 38 of the second roof plane shingle 42 and the bottom surface 36 of the second roof plane shingle 34, hooking the folded ends 37, 38 together. A nail is driven through every other roof plane shingle 32 adjacent to the first folded end segment 37 of the roof plane shingle 32 to secure the roof plane shingle 32 to the roof.

The ridge-valley roof shingles 11 are laid along the ridge of the roof so the fold 14 in the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 meets the peak of the ridge. A portion of the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 also lays atop the first row of roof plane shingles 32. The ridge-valley roof shingles 11 hook together at the interlocking joint 26 using the same mechanism described in paragraph [0020], above. The tabs 18 are attached to the first end segment 16 of every other ridge-valley roof shingle 11 along the ridge. The tabs 18 are then nailed to the frame of the roof, securing the ridge-valley shingles 11 to the roof.

Next, the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 are laid along a roof valley where the fold 14 in the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 meets the hip of the roof valley. Again, the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 interlock with each other at the interlocking joint 26 using the same mechanism described above in paragraph [0020]. The tabs 18 are attached to the first end segment 16 of every other ridge-valley roof shingle 11 along the length of the valley. The tabs 18 are then nailed to the frame of the roof, securing the ridge-valley shingles 11 to the roof. In embodiments where the ridge-valley roof shingles 11 possess a third or fourth folded end segment, those third and fourth folded end segments are folded over the top surface 12 of the ridge-valley roof shingle 11 and engage with the second folded end segments 38 of the roof plane shingles 32 that lie adjacent to the roof valley.

When laying the roof shingles around protruding objects or skylights, the roofer must custom-cut the roof plane shingles 32 or ridge-valley roof shingles 11 to fit circumfluent with the protrusion or skylight. In some cases, the roof plane shingles 32 and ridge-valley roof shingles 11 are made of metal and can be soldered to the protrusion.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. An interlocking roof shingle, comprising: a ridge-valley roof shingle having at least two first end segments, at least two second end segments, a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein each segment of the at least two first end segments, at least two second end segments comprise an end connecting to the ridge-valley rood shingle and an opposing free end; wherein the at least two first end segments and the at least two second end segments pivotally extend from the ridge-valley roof shingle, such that the at least two first end segments extend above a plane of the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle and the at least two second end segments extend below the plane of the bottom surface; a fold extending along a longitudinal axis of the ridge-valley roof shingle from the at least two first end segments to the at least two second end segment; wherein each segment of the at least two first segments and each segment of the at least two second end segments includes a proximal side that tapers to the fold between the end connecting to the ridge-valley roof shingle and the free end; a gap disposed between adjacent proximal sides of each corresponding segment of the at least two first end segments and each corresponding segment of the at least two second end segments, wherein the gap is configured to allow folding of the interlocking roof shingle along the fold.
 2. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 1, further comprising a tab fastened to the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle, wherein a portion of the tab extends beyond a periphery of the first end segment.
 3. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 1, wherein the ridge-valley roof shingle comprises a third end segment, wherein the third end segment is folded over the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle.
 4. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 1, wherein the ridge-valley roof shingle comprises a fourth end segment, wherein the fourth end segment is folded over the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle.
 5. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles, wherein the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof single is configured to interlock with a second end segment of an adjacent ridge-valley roof shingle.
 6. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of roof plane shingles each having a first end segment, a second end segment, a top surface, a bottom surface, wherein the first end segment and the second end segment pivotally extend from the plurality of roof plane shingles, such that the first end segment extends above a plane of the top surface of the plurality of roof plane shingles and the second end segment extends below the plane of the bottom surface of the plurality of roof plane shingles.
 7. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 6, wherein the roof plane shingle comprises a tab fastened to the first end segment thereof and the ridge-valley roof shingle comprises a tab fastened to the first end segment thereof, wherein the tab of the roof plane shingle extends beyond a periphery thereof and the tab ridge-valley roof shingle extends beyond a periphery thereof.
 8. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 6, wherein the plurality of ridge-valley roof shingle comprises a third end segment, wherein the third end segment is folded over the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle and the third end segment is configured to interlock with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle.
 9. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 8, wherein the ridge-valley roof shingle has a fourth end segment, wherein the fourth end segment is folded over the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle and the fourth end segment is configured to interlock with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle.
 10. A method of roofing a building, comprising: providing a plurality of roof shingle system each comprising a roof plane shingle having a first end segment, a second end segment, a top surface, a bottom surface, wherein the first end segment is configured to fold over the top surface of the roof plane shingle and the second end segment is configured to fold under the bottom surface of the roof plane shingle, wherein the first end segment is configured to interlock with a second end segment of an adjacent roof plane shingle; providing a plurality of ridge-valley roof shingle each having a first end segment, a second end segment, a top surface, a bottom surface, wherein the first end segment is folded over the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle and the second end segment is folded under the bottom surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle, wherein the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof single is configured to interlock with a second end segment of an adjacent ridge-valley roof shingle, and a fold that runs along a longitudinal axis in the ridge-valley roof shingle from the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle to the second end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle, wherein the fold marks a gap in the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle and second end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle; dispersing a plurality of roof plane shingles in a grid pattern along a surface of the roof, starting by securing a first row of roof plane shingles adjacent to a ridge in the roof; interlocking the dispersed roof plane shingles by sliding the first end segment of the roof plane shingle underneath the second end segment of an adjacent roof plane shingle and hooking the first end segment of the roof plane shingle with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle; providing a tab configured to hook with the folded first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle and extend out beyond the periphery of the ridge-valley roof shingle; securing a ridge-valley roof shingle to a ridge of the roof by hooking the tab to the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle and driving a nail through the portion of the tab that extends beyond the periphery of the ridge-valley roof shingle; disposing a plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles along a ridge of the roof; interlocking the plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles disposed along the ridge of the roof by sliding the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle underneath the second end segment of an adjacent ridge-valley roof shingle and hooking the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle with the second end segment of the adjacent ridge-valley shingle.
 11. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing a ridge-valley roof shingle in a valley of the roof by folding a section of the tab and using the folded section of the tab to hook the tab to the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle and driving a nail through the portion of the tab that extends beyond the periphery of the ridge-valley roof shingle; disposing a plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles along the valley of the roof; interlocking the plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles disposed along the valley of the roof by sliding the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle underneath the second end segment of an adjacent ridge-valley roof shingle and hooking the first end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle with the second end segment of the adjacent ridge-valley roof shingle.
 12. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing the plurality of roof plane shingles to the roof by driving a nail through each roof plane shingle adjacent to the first end segment of each roof plane shingle.
 13. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a third end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle wherein the third end segment is folded under the bottom surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle and the third end segment is configured to interlock with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle; interlocking the plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles with the plurality of roof plane shingles by sliding the third end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle underneath the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle and hooking the third end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle.
 14. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a third end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle wherein the third end segment is folded over the top surface of the ridge-valley roof shingle and the third end segment is configured to interlock with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle; interlocking the plurality of ridge-valley roof shingles with the plurality of roof plane shingles by sliding the third end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle underneath the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle and hooking the third end segment of the ridge-valley roof shingle with the second end segment of the adjacent roof plane shingle.
 15. The interlocking roof shingle of claim 1, wherein the at least two first end segments and the at least two second end segments are each configured to fold to a desired angle independently from each other. 